A module comprises a cell stack having a plurality of alternating ion depleting compartments and ion concentrating compartments, an inlet manifold configured to facilitate a flow of fluid into the cell stack, and a first flow distribution system, associated with the inlet manifold, including a first ramp to promote the circulation of the flow of fluid into the cell stack.

A microchannel-membrane device comprises a microchannel extending through at least one electrode, the microchannel having a predetermined depth; an ionic permselective medium, such as a membrane, across the microchannel between the electrodes; and a heater, or array of heaters, embedded below the microchannel on at least one side of the permselective membrane. The heaters can be either prefabricated or dynamically patterned using laser illumination with/without photoconductive coating. The heaters are on the depletion side of the membrane and induce a vortex which limits the growth of the diffusion area. Operation of the heaters allows for controlled positioning of the end of the diffusion area and with it also the position of the preconcentrated molecule plug.

A microchannel-membrane device comprises a microchannel extending through at least one electrode, the microchannel having a predetermined depth; an ionic permselective medium, such as a membrane, across the microchannel between the electrodes; and a heater, or array of heaters, embedded below the microchannel on at least one side of the permselective membrane. The heaters can be either prefabricated or dynamically patterned using laser illumination with/without photoconductive coating. The heaters are on the depletion side of the membrane and induce a vortex which limits the growth of the diffusion area. Operation of the heaters allows for controlled positioning of the end of the diffusion area and with it also the position of the preconcentrated molecule plug.

The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.

The present invention provides a device capable of reducing the resistance and increasing the ion exchange rate in an electrodialysis, electro-deionization, or capacitive deionization apparatus and a method for producing said device. More specifically, the device is an electrodialysis spacer designed to have an ionically conductive surface of either cationic nature, anionic nature or a combination of both, which act as conductive pathways for ions as they move towards their respective electrode. The method of producing said spacer involves coating a substrate, such as a woven mesh, expanded netting, extruded netting or non-woven material, with perm-selective ionomer solutions and applying that substrate to an inert spacer material that has undergone chemical or mechanical etching.

Methods and circuits for a device for interrupting concentration-related polarisation phenomenon and for self-cleaning of electromembrane processes by application of asymmetric inverse-polarity pulses with high intensity and variable frequency are described. The device, a bipolar switch, is based on the use of solid-state electronics to carry out polarity inversion in a range of frequencies, intensities and pulse widths to prevent or reduce formation of precipitates on the surfaces of the membranes. The inversion protocol, with a frequency that varies as a function of the appearance of dirt on the membranes, as measured by the decrease in voltage or electrical resistance of the membrane cell during electromembrane processes, is also provided. This device and configuration provides application of modulated and stable high-intensity pulses using a second power source. Electromembrane processes can be updated by replacing electrodes, suitable for polarity inversion, and adding a second power source and the bipolar switch described.

Methods and circuits for a device for interrupting concentration-related polarisation phenomenon and for self-cleaning of electromembrane processes by application of asymmetric inverse-polarity pulses with high intensity and variable frequency are described. The device, a bipolar switch, is based on the use of solid-state electronics to carry out polarity inversion in a range of frequencies, intensities and pulse widths to prevent or reduce formation of precipitates on the surfaces of the membranes. The inversion protocol, with a frequency that varies as a function of the appearance of dirt on the membranes, as measured by the decrease in voltage or electrical resistance of the membrane cell during electromembrane processes, is also provided. This device and configuration provides application of modulated and stable high-intensity pulses using a second power source. Electromembrane processes can be updated by replacing electrodes, suitable for polarity inversion, and adding a second power source and the bipolar switch described.

An ion suppressor includes ion exchange membranes between a pair of electrodes. Regeneration liquid channels are provided in the spaces between the electrodes and the ion exchange membranes, and an eluent channel is provided between the ion exchange membranes. Ion re-exchange in the eluent on the downstream side of the eluent channel is suppressed, thereby making it possible to improve the detection sensitivity for the ion to be measured. For example, the eluent channel has a folded structure, thereby increasing the amount of current on the downstream side of the eluent channel, and thus, the accumulation of ions is suppressed, and accordingly, ion re-exchange in the eluent can be suppressed.

The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.

The present disclosure is directed to ion-exchange systems and devices that can monitor key parameters related to the performance of the ion-exchange device. Specifically, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can provide real time voltage drop across groups of membrane pairs using diagnostic spacer borders between the pairs. In addition, the ion-exchange systems and devices disclosed herein can monitor the compression force applied by the compression plates holding the ion-exchange systems and devices together.